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National Science Foundation awards $2 million to Worcester Polytechnic Institute for student scholarships and STEM programs

The National Science Foundation has awarded $2 million to Worcester Polytechnic Institute to support scholarships and mentoring for low-income undergraduate and graduate students in STEM fields. The funding will contribute to increasing the size of the U.S. workforce in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Europe's young planetary defenders recognized on world stage as Erasmus+ StAnD Project concludes

The Erasmus+ Students As Planetary Defenders (StAnD) project has engaged over 2,000 students and 500 teachers in STEM activities, giving primary and secondary school students hands-on experience with scientific research. The project's culminating event recognized four students from Italy, France, and Germany for their accomplishments i...

Turning scientific evidence into action for airborne disease control

A new study published in Humanities and Social Sciences Communications found that animation is more effective than text or comics in motivating people to adopt preventive health behaviors. The study, led by researchers at National Sun Yat-sen University, used an original educational series to demonstrate the power of animation in trans...

SourceNational Sun Yat-sen University·JournalHumanities and Social Sciences Communications·TypeSurvey·DateAug 25, 2026

The framing of nature changes how kids respond to environmental education

A randomized trial in 21 Japanese elementary schools found that students respond more strongly to environmental education when nature is framed around its human benefits rather than its intrinsic value. This approach increased students' short-term interest in the environment. In contrast, students who received an ecocentric framing sho...

SourceKyushu University·JournalEcological Economics·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 20, 2026

Laboratory chemical exposure and diet linked to self-reported health symptoms among young scientists

A study of 426 university students in Nigeria found a clear association between reported chemical exposure frequency and reported symptoms, with frequent exposure linked to oxidative stress-related symptoms. The researchers also highlight the importance of laboratory safety practices and healthy dietary habits.

SourceShenyang Agricultural University Collaborative Journals·JournalNew Contaminants·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2026

Korea University College of Medicine and UNIST launch KUNIST platform for next-generation physician-scientist training

The KUNIST platform cultivates globally competitive physician-scientists with five core competencies, including clinical problem-solving, convergent research, and commercialization. The collaboration aims to develop joint educational programs, establish collaborative research laboratories, and build a commercialization support platform.

University of Phoenix study in The Geography Teacher examines how awe and the “overview effect” may shape geography learning

A new peer-reviewed article explores how awe and sense of place may influence learners' engagement with geographic concepts, with implications for instructional design in online and classroom environments. The study suggests that place-based and visually grounded learning experiences can help students connect abstract concepts to real-...

SourceUniversity of Phoenix·JournalThe Geography Teacher·TypeObservational study·DateJul 2, 2026

Cal Poly biological sciences professor receives Botanical Society of America’s Charles Edwin Bessey Teaching Award

Nishi Rajakaruna, a Cal Poly biological sciences professor, has received the Charles Edwin Bessey Teaching Award for his innovative teaching methods that combine fieldwork, food, culture, and rigorous science. The award recognizes his dedication to improving botanical education at a regional, national, or international level.

Flipping engineering design on its head

Nikhil Bajaj's $649K NSF CAREER Award aims to develop a unified computational framework for designing nonlinear systems. The approach targets bifurcation behavior in devices such as ultrasensitive gas-leak detectors and energy harvesters. By starting from explicit behavior specification, researchers can engineer systems backwards.

Q&A: Most biology education guidelines lack any connection to society — UW researchers explain why that's a problem

UW researchers found that most biology education guidelines lack connections to society, with only 7% of elements discussing ethics and public health issues. This can lead to a lack of engagement and retention among students, as real-world examples support their interest in science and help develop their scientific identity.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalDisciplinary and Interdisciplinary Science Education Research·DateJun 1, 2026

Teaching with food boosts preschoolers’ science knowledge and vocabulary

A new study by North Carolina State University found that teaching with food can increase preschoolers' understanding of scientific concepts four times more than traditional methods. The 'More PEAS Please!' program also improved vocabulary skills, with a 20% increase in the group that received the intervention.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2026

Study finds benefits in being older college student while working

A new study from the University of Kansas reveals that older college students who work full-time while studying tend to have higher graduation rates and better retention. The research, which analyzed over 7,000 post-traditional students, found that being older and working full-time positively predicted six-year graduation rates, while ...

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalThe Journal of Continuing Higher Education·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 4, 2026

Physics can be hard. Mindfulness may help.

A new study from the University of Pittsburgh found that mindfulness training can help students build resilience in the face of emotional threats, leading to increased engagement in college physics. After five days of training, students reported feeling less threatened and more motivated to learn.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 27, 2026

Hefei Botanical Garden: A model for biodiversity conservation, resource utilization and public education in urban areas

The Hefei Botanical Garden is a key institution for biodiversity research in East China, with over 5000 plant species preserved, including rare and endangered species. The garden promotes sustainable resource utilization, ecological education, and rural revitalization through its 'Botanical Garden + Agriculture' model.

SourceSouth China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalBiological Diversity·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 19, 2026

NUS launches Singapore’s first concurrent nursing-informatics degree to build a digitally ready nursing workforce

The new Concurrent Degree Programme combines Bachelor of Science (Nursing) with Master of Science (Biomedical Informatics), equipping nurses with strong capabilities in clinical practice and informatics. Graduates will confidently use complex digital systems and apply insights in real-time to deliver high-quality patient care.

“The Journey to End Cancer: From Cause to Cure” exhibition launches national tour with MD Anderson as presenting sponsor

The Journey to End Cancer exhibition guides visitors through the full spectrum of cancer science from cause to cure. Featuring interactive experiences, immersive media environments, and inspiring first-person videos, the exhibit aims to educate and empower visitors about cancer prevention and treatment.

SLAS receives grant from Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to develop lab automation educational guidelines

The Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) has developed a comprehensive framework to educate scientists on laboratory automation, addressing the growing gap between technology adoption and training pathways. The project aims to create shared standards for automation education, expanding access to training across instit...